{"id":17171,"date":"2026-04-20T16:55:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T16:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatliesbeneathrattlechainlagoon.org.uk\/?p=17171"},"modified":"2026-04-20T17:01:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T17:01:05","slug":"save-the-temple-way-love-butterfly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatliesbeneathrattlechainlagoon.org.uk\/?p=17171","title":{"rendered":"SAVE THE TEMPLE WAY “LOVE” BUTTERFLY"},"content":{"rendered":"

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On 18th April, we participated alongside dozens of community events across the country\u00a0 to express concern about the future of green spaces in our areas. This was organised by the Community Planning Alliance<\/a> in response to the Labour Government’s war on open spaces to build their misguided mass housing strategy.\u00a0 We are of course, fully aware of this given the toxic Sandwell Local Plan and its ambitions to reward land bankers using the public purse.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Urban green field wildlife sites like the one off Temple Way offer a unique habitat that cannot be mitigated through the destructive plans which Sandwell Council support as a “strategic site”. They are aware that a rare butterfly<\/a> and plants<\/a> are located at the site, and alongside The Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, strong representations have been made at the local plan examination challenging this council’s narrative, and downgraded lies about the ecological value of the site and its regional importance as an open connected space to Sheepwash Local Nature Reserve for local residents.<\/p>\n

“Our green spaces are under unprecedented pressure. This day of action shows that communities everywhere are ready to stand up for the places that matter to them.”<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Rosie Pearson<\/span>\u00a0\u2014 Chairman, Community Planning Alliance<\/span><\/cite><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Andy Dangerfield<\/strong>, local resident and Green party candidate for Oldbury ward said<\/p>\n

“We need to organise ourselves to protect local sites of biodiversity. The developers live outside Sandwell; their only objective is to make as much money as possible.”<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Raising awareness about the importance of this wildlife haven<\/p><\/div>\n

THE SMALL BLUE BUTTERFLY (cupido minimus) and TEMPLE WAY OPEN SPACE<\/span><\/p>\n

Classified as a High Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework due to its declining population and habitat fragmentation. It is also afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.<\/p>\n

The Small Blue is one of the UK’s rarest butterflies, experiencing severe population decline due to habitat loss.<\/p>\n